The disembodied voice said to take cover but he didn’t know where to go. Besides, why should he take cover? He wasn’t in any danger.

“Who are you to tell me to take cover?” he said to the voice, “I’m not taking cover unless you tell me why and show yourself. How will I know where to take cover unless you tell me why and where?”

The disembodied voice said “Take cover.”

“No! I’m not taking cover. Why should I listen to some voice from somebody I can’t see?” He just stood there.

“Take cover” boomed the disembodied voice.

“No way. Why should I take cover? Who are you to tell me what to do?” He looked around, trying to find the voice.

Damn, this guy was being difficult. People just wouldn’t listen anymore. The voice tried again “Take cover”

“No way. No way am I making a fool of myself so you can video me ducking and post it online. Where am I going to hide? Behind that car? Sure, I’ll go over there and you’ll jump out to scare me or something like that. I’m not taking cover. You quit hiding. Come out where I can see you.” he said.

“Come on, take cover, I’m trying to protect you.” said the disembodied voice. “You’re going to get hurt if you don’t take cover.”

“Who’s going to hurt me? I can’t see anybody and the only fool I hear is you. Quit hiding and come on out.” he said. The house he was in front of exploded killing him.

“Damn” said the disembodied voice “I’m going to catch hell for this. Why won’t people listen anymore? That damn internet! Everybody, pulling pranks and making fools of people. That’s why nobody listens. They think everything is ‘Just for Laughs’.”

The boss was waiting for him when he got back to the office. “Clarence, you lost another one. You’ll never get your wings if you keep losing the people you are supposed to protect. What type of guardian angel are you? You’re on suspension for a few years. Get out of here.”

I wrote this one using the same scene stealer as used in “Take Cover”. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.